The holidays are sneaking up on us and it will be Christmas morning before we know it. Picking out the perfect gift for a friend, significant other, or family member can be stressful, but I'm here to help!

1. Give yourself plenty of time

Waiting until the last minute to try to find a gift for a special someone will only result in unnecessary stress and, most likely, a sub-par gift. Allotting time to find a gift reduces the chances of settling on the first thing you find.

2. Make a list of things they love

Write down their favorite sports teams, shows, movies, artists, etc. Think hard. A more specific thought leads to a more special gift. For example, when making my mom's list, I would write down "The Real Housewives" and the Dallas Cowboys.

3. Hit the Internet

Take the list you've made and let the searching begin. You will be amazed by the amount of neat things you will find. Websites like Amazon Prime have just about anything you could want and more!

4. Keep in mind that money isn't everything

Obviously you need to have your budget in mind. But don't think that you have to break your bank in order to give the perfect gift. When it comes to these kinds of things, it is always the thought that counts. If the person you are buying for sees how much thought you put into the gift, the price won't even cross their mind.

5. Don't overthink it

We all do it. We get all worked up over if the person is actually going to like the gift. Just relax and be confident that you know them well enough to give them something they will enjoy. Once they see how much thought you put into it, they will automatically love it.

Christmas may be more than a month away, but we all know how time flies. Start planning now to ensure a smooth and stress-free holiday season. Happy shopping!